Bald James Franco turns heads at Venice Film Festival

VENICE, Italy (AP) -- James Franco has been hailed as a visionary filmmaker as his latest directorial effort screens at the Venice Film Festival. But everyone is talking about his head.

The unpredictable actor-director has shaved off his hair for his role as a movie obsessive in "Zeroville," and appeared on the red carpet Friday with a fake tattoo of Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift on the back of his head.

Franco was given the festival's "Glory to the Filmmaker Award" in recognition of his work, and appeared to use the ceremony to shoot scenes for the new, `70s-set film. He was filmed taking the stage in front of a sign for the 35th Venice Film Festival.

Franco's William Faulkner adaptation, "The Sound and the Fury," is screening at this year's festival, the 71st.

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